Austin kelley



A. KELLEY.

(Model.)

CORSET.

No. 260,991. Patented J111y11,1882.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

AUSTIN KELLEY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO JAMES STUART,

OF SAME PLACE. l

CORSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 260,991, dated July 11, 1882,

Application tiled January 10, 1882. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, AUSTIN KELLEY,aciti zen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Corsets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved corset which is supported throughout by metallic springs or stays and provided with attachments for adjusting the fullness at the bosom and at the hip, all as hereinafter more fully pointed out.

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l represents a front view of my corset. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on a larger scale than the previous figure. Fig. 3 is a section of the locking device for the bosom and hip springs on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a plan or top view of the same.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, the letter A designates a corset, which is supported and retained iu shape throughout by metallic springs a a.

In corsets of the usual construction steel springs are used in front, and sometimes in the rear; but the remaining springs, which are intended to impart to the corset the desired shape, are usually made of whalebone, and after these springs have been inserted into the pockets provided for their reception .the corset is placed upon ahollow bust made ofsheetcopper and arranged to be heated with steam, and as this copper bust is being heated the corset is laced up tighter and tighter until it conforms throughout tothe shape ofthe same. By the action ofthe heat the whalebone springs are caused to accommodate themselves to the shape of the copper bust, and when the corset is removed the whalebone springs retain the same in the required shape. If a corset of this kind is worn, the heat and moisture of the human body throw the whalebone springs out of the desired shape, to the great inconvenience of the wearer.

The springs a a' which I use in my corset are made of steel, and tempered and bent to therequired shape before they are introduced into the pockets, and when the corsethas once been brought into the required shape it is not changed by the action of the heat or moisture of the human body. By referring to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that my corset extends up in front to the chest so as to cover the bosom, the front springs, a', being curved to conform to the shape of the person wearing the corset. With these front springs, a', I have combined adjustable springs bf, which perform the office of a bosom-pad, and which can readily be adjusted so as to impart to the bosom the desired fullness. The springs bare placed into pockets situated over the pockets containing the springs a', and they are situated right over these springs, their lower ends being prevented from sliding downward by any suitable means, such as a few stitches, as shown at c in Fig. 1. The upper ends of the adjustable springs b pass under suitable clamps, B, by means of which said ends can be adj usted and retained in the required position. The clamps which I use by preference are constructed as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. They are composed of a sheet-metal plate, d, and a cam-lever, c, whichY swings in lugs f formed on the plated. The plates d are secured to the front of the corset in the required position, and by means of the cam-levers e the ends of the springs b can be readily retained iu the required position. The springs b and clamps B are covered by aprons O.

For the purpose of adjusting the fullness of my corset at the hips, I have provided adjustable springs b over the lower ends of the springs a, and suitable clamps, B, for the purpose of fastening the upper ends of said adjustable springs in the required position.

A corset has heretofore been provided with stays composed of alternately-arman ged springs of steel' and rattan, and corsets have also been provided with stays composed of metallic springs alone; but, so far as I am aware, a corset has never been heretofore supported throughoutits entirelength by metallic springs which are tempered and bent or fashioned to conform to the shape of the human body, whereby said springs are caused to retain their fashioned shape, and the corsetis adapted to comfortably t the body, and is not liable to have its curved outlines disarranged by constant use by the wearer.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a corset provided with springs or stays for supporting or sustaining the body thereof, ot' supplemental adjustable springs located in the bosom portions of the corset, one end of the said springs being held stationary and the other end adapted to slide in pockets in the corset, and clamps connected with the body ofthe corset for holding the sliding ends of the said springs in their adjusted position to regulate the fullness of the corset-bosom, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a corset provided with springs or stays for supporting the body thereof,ot supplemental springs arranged directly over said supporting springs or stays at the bosom portion of the corset, one end of the supplemental springs being held stationary and the other end adaptedtoslide in p0ck ets in the corset, and clamps connected withthe body of the corset for adjusting and binding the sliding ends of the said springs on the corset supporting springs or stays to regulate the fullness of the corset-bosom ,substantially as described.

3. The combination, with a corset having springs or stays for supporting the body thereof, ot' supplemental springs located in the hip portions ofthe corset, one end of said springs being held stationary andthe other end adapted to slide in pockets in the corset, and clamps connected with the corset-body for adjusting and holding the sliding ends of said springs to regulate the fullness of the corset hip portions, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with a corset provided with springs or stays for supporting the body thereof, ot supplemental springs arranged directly over said supporting springs or stays, one end of the supplemental springs being held stationary and the other ends adapted to slide in pockets in the corset, and clamps connected with the body of the corset for adjusting and binding the sliding ends ot'the said springs on the corset supporting springs or stays, substantially as described.

5. As an improved article of manufacture,a corset provided with supporting springs or stays,and with supplement-al adjustable springs arranged in the bosom and hip portions of the corset, said supplemental springs havingtheir ends arranged in pockets in the corset and adapted to slide at one end,for regulating the fullness of the bosom and hip portions of the corset, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two subi scribin g witnesses.

AUSTlN KELLEY. lL. s]

Vitnesses:

W. HAUFF, E. F. KAsrENnUBnR. 

